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Clovis to seek $40,000 state grant for teen outdoor education; commissioners debate stipend and eligibility
Summary
City staff will apply for up to $40,000 from the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division to fund a seven-week teen environmental education and workforce program. Commissioners discussed stipend size (originally $1,000 proposed) and lowering age thresholds to include sixth graders; council approved applying for the grant.
Miss Burrows (speaker 10) told commissioners the city plans to apply for up to $40,000 through the Outdoor Equity Fund to run a seven-week program for teens (proposed ages 13–17) consisting of classroom sessions and field trips two mornings per week. The proposal includes hiring a coordinator (budgeted at roughly $15,000), a proposed stipend to encourage participation and a cap on enrollment tied to available funds.
Commissioners raised several implementation questions: whether the age range could be lowered to include sixth-graders (age 12), how reducing the proposed $1,000 stipend to $500 would affect participation counts and per-hour equivalent pay, and whether transportation and child-supervision ratios would change staffing needs. Burrows said there is no grant match required, estimated about 15 participants at $1,000 each (or more if stipend is reduced), and suggested working with schools and juvenile probation for participant referrals.
Commissioner Garza moved to approve applying for the Outdoor Equity grant as presented, with the understanding staff will refine stipend and eligibility details; Commissioner Tarson seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Why it matters: The program aims to engage local teens in environmental education and provide workforce experience and modest financial incentives; how the stipend and eligibility are structured will determine participation reach and staffing needs.
What’s next: Staff will submit the application before the end-of-month deadline and return with more detailed program parameters, budgeting and compliance steps.
